Gyromagnetic resonance magnetometer



CCL 141 1958 M. E. PACKARD GYROMGNETIC RESONANCE MAGNETOMETER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July l, 1954 oct. 14, 19584 M E, PACKARD 2,856,579

GYRQMAGNETIC RESONANCE MAGNETOMETER Filed July 1, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arrow/ey OGL 14, 1958 l M. E. PACKARD GYROMAGNETIC RssoNANcE MAGNETOMETER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 1, 1954 2 m w? ew s J. .w n m w f e e A CP cc N E E rs KH K/ -V on a ow j'.me 4i T mm c ma /e r er AM e U S A F A E w. w. G O m m P z l1 u mr#.l M .,f Vi w1 n U y a s w n v 1 .HTI F Il x 9 o FJlL Z E N. C S

*Mim 8 H 2 e 3 E E E E T m wm m .m WQHV n A Oct. 14, 1958 M. E. PACKARD GYROMAGNETIC REsoNANcE MAGNETOMETER 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed July 1, 1954 ml mi H IHIH United States Patent O GYROMAGNETIC RESONAN CE MAGNETOMETER Martin E. Packard, Menlo Park, Calif., assignor to Varian Associates, San Carlos, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 1, 1954, Serial No. 440,703 16 Claims. (Cl. S24-.5)

This invention relates in general to magnetometers and, more particularly, to magnetometers which utilize the principle of nuclear free precession in the earths magnetic field, whereby the earths magnetic field may be measured and anomalies therein detected for the purpose of geophysical prospecting, location of foreign bodies in the field 4and the like.

This invention utilizes the principle of gyromagnetic procession and more specifically gyromagnetic free precession in magnetic fields which is set forth and `extensively described in U. S. lPatent Re. 23,769 of Russell H. Varian issued on January l2, 1954, and entitled, Method and Means for Correlating Nuclear Properties of Atoms and Magnetic Fields. This above cited patent `discloses the method and means for` measuring the strength of a magnetic field, for example, the earths magnetic field, which involves determining the frequency of vprecession at which known atom portions possessing the properties of gyroscopic moment and `magnetic moment, for example, nuclei, will precess in the unknown magnetic field, whereby the value of` this frequency may be used to derive the4 strength of the magnetic field. The nuclei, which, for example, may -be protons in water, are rst polarized in a magnetic field which is much stronger than and which is at an `angle to the magnetic field to be measured. The nuclei are thus polarized in the direction of this strong magnetic field which, for example, may be normal to the magnetic field to be measured. After polarizing the nuclei, the strong magnetic field is quickly removed and the polarized nuclei then immediately begin to precess about the axis of the magnetic field to be measured. The nuclei will precess at a definite rate which is determined` by the particular kind of nuclei and by the strength of the unt known magnetic field, this relationship being set forth -by the well known gyromagnetic formula w=yH, where a: is the angular rate of precession, 'y is the gyromagnetic ratio of the nuclei, and H is the strength of the magnetic field to be measured. The gyrornagnetic ratio of the nuclei is known and, by determining the angular ratetof precession or the frequency of precession, the

strength of the unknown magnetic field may be easily calculated.

The frequency of precession may be determined by coupling a receiver coil to the matter containing the nuclei whereby the sweeping magnetic moments of the precessing nuclei induce an alternating current in the receiver coil of the precession frequency. This induced signal, which is extremely small, is transmitted to a suitable amplifier system and is then transmitted to suitable frequency determining electronic circuitry such as an electronic counter system.

The apparatus yand method of the above patent, which is very useful for measuring unknown magnetic fields at fixed points in the field or while moving at a relatively slow speed across the field, is not as effective for making periodic and rapid magnetic field measurements while moving rapidly over the field, such las is the case when making such measurements of the earths fieldfrom a rapidly moving airplane, mainly because `of the wide surface area covered between successive readings of the instrument.

4It is therefore a principal object ofthe present inven- `ice 2 tion to provide a novel method yand apparatus utilizing gyromagnetic free precession to make `rapid periodic field measurements while traversing the-unknown magnetic field at high speeds.

One feature of the present invention is to provide a `novel gyrornagnetic free precession apparatus and method for measuring an unknown magnetic field such as the earths magnetic field wherein a plurality of magnetometer units are employed to operate simultaneously yet out of step with each other wherein one unit will 'be polarizing its associated gyromagnetic portions lof atoms While another unit is detecting theprecession frequency of its associatedatom portions.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of novel method `and apparatus utilized in conjunction with the above feature whereby operation `Will be such that the strong polarizing magnetic field being produced at one instant of time by one of the mag-` netometer units will not affect the precession of the atom portions in the magnetic tield being measured by another of the magnetometer units.

These and otherfeatures and advantages will become apparent from a perusal of the following specification and claims taken in connection with the .accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows in schematic and block diagram form` one embodiment of the present invention, the head portions of each of the magnetometer units being shown in schematic form` and the associated electrical circuits being shown in block diagram,

Fig. 2 is a view showing the pair of rnagnetometer units or heads positioned in the opposedV Wing `tips 0f an airplane and having their associated electrical connections extend to a common control panel within the fuselage,

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing relative positioning between the polarizing coil windings and the sample of matter having the known nuclei therein, the particular polarizing coil structure being such that the strong polarizing magnetic field produced thereby is substantially confined within the boundaries defined by the youter windings `of the polarizing coils,

Fig. 4 is a moredetailed circuit diagram of a portion of the system shown in Fig. l, t

Fig.` 5 shows the detailed circuitry of one of the scale-of-two circuits in the scale-of-8192 chain included in the circuitry of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 shows the circuit `of one of the scale-of-two circuits in the scale-of-64` chain and associated relaycontrolled analog circuit used in this particular embodiment of the invention.`

Referring now to Fig. 1, there are shown two magnetometer units or heads 1 and 2 which are included in this particular embodiment of the invention. These head portions, for the purpose of this illustration, are identical and therefore only one will be completely described, the corresponding elements of the other head bearing similar reference numerals but havinga prime accent thereafter. The heads 1 and 2 include a volume of matter containing portions of atoms possessing the properties of gyroscopic moment and magnetic moment which, in this example, we will take to be water and` the protons therein, this water being held in a suitable container such as a glass tube 3 with a stopper 4 therein. l

This tube may be of a size to hold 500 cc. of water.

Other examples of a suitable matter would be ethyl alcoizing coil which comprisestwo outer windingst and 7 z,

and two inner windings 8 and 9, these four windings l being connected in series. The reason for the particular `Patented Oct. 14, 1958 neticnfield in the plane of the( sheet of drawings normal,

to Atheaxis of receiver coil 5.

The headsl all@ 2 vare spaced some selected distancel apart which, for example, maybe l feet or 10Q' feet andare positioned soI that the unknown magnetic field' to be measuredisat an angle with respect to the polarizing field which. the polarizing coils willl produce. this particular illustration we will assume 'that the direction of the magnetic field to be measured is normal to the-plane ,of the sheet ofV drawings.

In' operation, a sequence circuit l1fr is utilized', for

switchingy the circuitry ofA theu system from one head to -v the other head and for alsojtriggering the counter system so that accuratermeasurement of the frequencies of precessionwillbe obtained. This sequence circuit may be motor driven cam" apparatus or may be an electronic timer circuit as desired'. The sequence circuit .il is arranged to alternately operate and release the control relay 12" in a periodic manner, and. we will assume for this illustration that the relay is operated three seconds and released three seconds in every sii; second period. With therelay 12 in its released position, the D. C. power supply13lis closed through break contacts 14 and'tlirough a suitable damping circuitv15 to the serially connected polarizing coil windings in head 1. Thus a D. C. current flows through the polarizing coil windings and a strong polarizing field is produced which is assumed normal to the unknown magnetic field and which pene-y trates the water in container 3. The protons in the water are thus polarized in this particular direction. Three seconds after the first closure of contacts lid the sequence circuit 11 operates relay 12 and the contacts 14 are opened and make contacts 16 closed, the power supply 13thus being switched from the polarizing coil windings of head 1 to the polarizing coil windings of head 2. The D. C. current from the power supply 13 then flows'through the polarizing coil of head 2 and.

thus produces a polarizing field normal to the field to be measured and enveloping the water to thus polarize they protons in the head 2. The damping circuits in this embodiment comprise a non-linear resistor 24 connected in series with a parallel-connected resistor and condenser 26, this circuitry serving to rapidly damp out any oscillations of current in the polarizing coilswhich occur when the polarizing circuit is first opened.

'Upon the. opening of the circuit at contacts 1d4 to the polarizing coil in head 1, the protons therein commence tokprecess in the magnetic field to be measured at a rate which is determined by the strength of the unknown field. The precessing protons produce an alternating.

magnetic field which induces an alternating, current in the receiver coil 5 of head 1, this. induced signal being transmitted through preamplifier 17 and through the make contact 1S of relay 12 to a suitable amplifier 19. This amplified alternating signal is then transmitted to a frequency counter system 21. The sequence circuit also transmits suitable trigger pulsesrto the counter system for triggering the system to accurately determine the.

frequency` ofV the induced ratio frequency signal. This resultant frequency may then be recorded on recorder 22 and from this the field strength of the unknown field may be readily calculated. Suitable correlation equipment may be utilized which will read directly in field strength orrelative changes in field strength, thus eliminating the step of calc ulating. An oscilloscope 23 is shown coupled to the output of amplifier 19 and receives a synchronized signal from the sequencer 11, whereby a visual display of the induced receiver signals is obtained. l

While the frequency of precession of the protons in the head 1 is being detected and recorded, the protons in the water in head 2 are being polarized. Whenthe relay V12. releases, the receiver coil 5 in head 2 is connected to the frequency counter system and the polarizing power supply 13 is switchedfrom the polarizing 'coil of head 2 to the polarizing coil of head 1. The nuclei or protons in head 2 then precess in the unknown magnetic held and this frequency of precession is determined and recorded while the nuclei or protons in thel headjhy are being polarized.

Thus the heads 1 and 2 are causedy to*operate..continil uously and simultaneously yet out of phase so-thatthe nuclei in one are being polarized at the sametime the nuclei in the other are precessingin the,- unknown magnetic field. Thus the unknown field is being measured at a rate twice that which would be accomplishediby one magnetometer apparatus being operated periodically `or, two magnetometer apparatus being operated alternately but without any overlapping operations. Thus this novel system provides rapid poriodic measurement* ofan ung known magnetic field and is thus especially adapted'for use in applications where the field measurements are being made in a magnetic field` which is being-'very rapidly traversedas is the case in measurements 'of' the earths magnetic field in airborne magnetometer use. It is also especially useful in making rapid periodic field measurements at Xed points in ay magnetic fieldsuch as the earths where the object is to detect anomalies in the field occurring during the rapid passage through the field of a foreign object such asa vehicle or a shi-pj or a person carrying a magnetic object.

Referring to Eig. 2; the two magnetometer unitsland 2 are shown positioned in the Wing tips o an airplanel which is flying over the earths surface. he electrical' connections, from the units are carried to a common panel within the body of the plane. This arrangement' is shown orily-v as onel preferred arrangement, it beingy possible to locate the units at various other pointsin the craft or in one or more birds adapted to be towed'- by the airplane.

It was assumed in the above illustration that Vthe periods of polarizing/and free precession were eachjthifce seconds but this time period is merelyl illustrative, The periods may bevaried from this byselectionofesuitable gyromagnetic matter. Forvexamplee, some measurementsmay be accomplished in .per-iods-as small as/I0 second;

fOr polarizing and 1A@ Second-'forfreeprecession'smit-fl possibly shorter. Since one off-.themagnetorneter unitswill-'bev detectingthe procession of its associated nucleiin-themagnetiofielde l to. be measured whiie the other magnetoineterunit-is* polarizing its associatedf nuclei. with a strong/magnetic `v field, itis imperative thatI this strongrpolarizing rnagnt'itioA fieldbe preventedfrornaffecting `the field being-measured at the` unit inwhich precessionsy are takingplaee.- 'Any change made in the strength of the field beingmeasured cancelled. Each finir ball-may take the formof ahollmv metal ellipticalfshaped current carrying balior inanothereinstance may take the forni of a plurality ofseparate coils. connected in series, the coils beingpositionedto fornire. hollow elliptical envelope. in particu'iar embodiment'. herein shown, the polarizing coil in cach unit ,is madogupof two pairsof Helmholtz coils, an inner, smaller diam; 6.,

eter pair 3 and 9 and an outer, larger. diameter pai and 7. These coils are shown in cross-section inEi A The coils are all in parallel planes, the radiusof each of When one fi'ux. ballnis' the smaller coils being equal to the distance between the two smaller coils and the radius of the larger coils being equal to the distance between the two larger coils, these relationships being characteristic of Helmholtz coils. AS known in the art, the arrangement of a Helmholtz coil pair gives the optimum intensity of magnetic field atthe center thereof, other factors being equal.`

The inner pair of coils ti and 9 which makes up one ux ball, are wound so as to give a field in opposition to the field produced by the outer coils 6 and 'i which make up the other ilux ball, this latter lield being approximately half the iield strength as the field produced by coils 8 and 9. From this particular arrangement of the coils, there is very little magnetic eld extendingexternally of the four coils, this arrangement being a simplified version of a flux ball arrangement. The bulk :of the internal field returns between the two opposed pairs, and the small external field varies inversely with the seventh power of the distance from the flux balls. Since this external field falls off so rapidly, the magnetometer heads are each isolated or shielded from the magnetic fields produced by the other heads. p

Referring to Figs. 4, and 6, there is shown in more detail a preferred counter system 21 and associated equipment which may be employed in the dual magnetometer system disclosed in Fig. l.. The sequence circuit 11 includes three motor driven cams 27, 28 and 29, 'cam 27 controlling the equally timed operation and release of relay 12. The amplified radio frequency signal from amplifier 19 is transmitted to a pulse Shaper 31 where the signal envelope is shaped into square wave pulses. The output signal .from the pulse Shaper 31 is then transmitted to a scale-of-8192 system which comprises a chain ofthirteen similar scale-of-two circuits. The last scale--` of-two circuit in this chain isv shown in detail in Pig. 5. The scale-of-two circuits are of a known design based on a Hip-flop circuit, including two triodes 32 and 33, that is symmetrically coupled to a single source of triggering pulses and is capable of being triggered alternately from one state to the other by the successive, identical trigger pulses from the pulse shaper 3l. The output from the rst twelve scale-of-two circuits is taken from a mid-tap point on the plate resistor of triode 32 while the output of the `thirteenth and last scale-of-two circuit is taken from the plate resistorof triode 33 as shown in Fig. 5. Symmetrical coupling through the two diodes 34 and to the trigger input is utilized, negative pulses being used to operate the scale-of-two circuits. This scale-of-Sl92 operates in such a manner that when the reset circuit is closed at the earn 2d a moment after the operation or :3;-

release oi' the relay l2, the first pulse received from the pulse Shaper-31 after the closure of the reset circuit is transmitted through the scale-of-8l92 circuit to the gate circuit 37. The gate circuit 37, which includes the pentode 38, is rendered conductive in response to this first pulse received by the scale-of-S192 circuit and thus transmits the radio frequency pulses, which is shown to be kilocycles in this embodiment, from the highly stabilized frequency standard 39 through to the scale-0h64- and associated analog circuit dll. The gate circuit 37 will continue to permit the flow of pulses from the standard 39 to pass through it until the scale-01353192 receives the 4097th pulse at whichtime the gate circuit pentode is biased to cut-off and the iiow of pulses to the scale-of-d-ft" circuit 41 halted.

V.The scale-of-64 circuit 41 consists of six scale-of-two circuits connected in a chain, the rst of which 42 is shown in detail in Fig. 6. The output of each of the scale-of-two circuits is coupled to a relay individual to each scale--of-two, malte contacts on the six relays being coupled in an analog circuit which includes plurality ot series connected resistors 43 and associated electrical energy supplies shown as batteries.

As the pulses from the frequency standard are received .by the scale-of-64 circuit, the associated relays are energized and deenergized in a rapid, repetitions manner until such time as the gate circuit operates to halt the pulses.

The last pulse received will leave the different relays in the chain operated or released in a pattern which will be dependent `on the total number of pulses received by the scale-of-d. Theset pattern in whichthe relays remain` will in turn result in a voltage output` from the analog circuit, the amplitude of which is uniquely related to the number of the particular pulse last received. The voltage' output is transmitted to a suitable amplifier circuit 44` and or more magnetometers properly synchronized and allworking out of step. The magnetometer units shown in the drawings employ a common power supply and receiving and recording system but it is understood that separate self-sustaining magnetometer systems could be employed with means for operating them out of step.` Also, magnetic field shielding means other than or in addition to the flux ball may be employed.

Each magnetometer unit shown in the drawings includes separate polarizing coils and pickup coils but it should be noted that one coilmay serve the dual purpose in each magnetometer unit of polarizing and receiving, this dual use of a single coil being disclosed in the above cited Patent Reissue 23,769. For example, the coils 8' and 9 in Fig. l, in addition to supplying the polarizing magnetic eld, may be adapted to take over the function of the receiver coil 5', in which case means would be provided for switching the coils and 9 to the preamplifier 1.7 after being `disconnected from the power supply 13.

Since many modifications and variations may be made in the described method and apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention, the foregoing description is to be considered as exemplary and not in a limiting sense. t What is claimed is: i

1. Apparatus for measuring the strength of a magnetic y eld which comprises` a plurality of magnetometer units located in the magnetic field, each magnetometer unit having an energizing stage of operation followed by a field measuring stage of operation, means for operating said units in time sequence such that while one of said units is in the energizing stage of operation another of said units is in the field measuring stage of operation, and means for sequentially switching the associated recording apparatus to each unit during its related field measuring stage of operation. l

2. Apparatus for making periodic measurements of the strength of a magnetic field with a plurality of gyromagnetic free precession magnetometer units located in the magnetic field, each magnetometer unit including an ensemble of atom portions having gyromagnetic properties with means for rst polarizing the atom portions and aligning them at an angle to the magnetic field to be measured and then terminating said polarization to allow said atom portions to precess, in the magnetic field to be measured whereby the strength of the eld may be determined, which comprises mcans for operating; said units in time sequence such that while the atom portions in one unit are being polarized the atom portions in another unit are precessing in the magnetic field to be measured.

3. Apparatus for making periodic measurements of the strength of a magnetic eld as claimed in claim 2 which comprises means 4for sequentially switching a common recording apparatus from unit to unit whereby the recording apparatus is associated with each unit during its particular atom portion precession stage.

rr ti 4. Apparatus for periodically measuring the strength ofA a` magnetic iield with a plurality of separate nuclear free precession magnetometer units each containing nuclei possessing the properties of gyroscopic moment and magnetic moment which comprises magnetic tield means for periodically polarizing the nuclei, in each ot the units and aligning them in the magnetic iield being measured and for removing the polarization whereby the nuclei in each unit may precess in the magnetic lield to be measured, and means for determining the frequency of precession of the nuclei, the polarization being applied to and removed from the nuclei in each unit in a time sequence such that while one unit is in the polarizing condition another unit is in the free precession condition.

5. Apparatus for making rapid periodic airborne magnetometer measurements with a plurality of gyromagnetic free precession magnetometer units being transported through the earths magnetic eld by an airplane ying over the earths surface, which comprises means for periodically polarizing the atom portions in each ot the magnetometer units in sequence with magnetic fields stronger than and at an angle to the earths iield and removing the polarizing iield, such that the atom portions may precess in the earths magnetic eld, means for detecting the procession ofy the atom portions in each magnetometer unit in sequence, and means tor indicating the frequencies of said precessions whereby the strength of the earths iield may be periodically obtained, the magnetometer units being operated insequenee whereby while one of'said units isr in the polarizing stage of operation another of said unitsY is in the free procession stage of operation.

6. In combination, a plurality of magnetometer units adapted to measure the strength of a magnetic tield, each of said magnetometer units having an energizing stage of operation followed by a iield measuring stage of operation, and means for operating said magnetorneter units in time sequence such that while one of said magnetometer units is in the energizing stage of operation another of said magnetometer units is in the field measuring stage of operation.

7'. In combination, a plurality of gyrornagnetic free precession magnetometer units each containing a Volume of matter containing portions of atoms possessing the properties of gyroscopic moment and magnetic moment, saidfunits adapted to be positioned in ay magnetic field to be measured, means in each unit for applyingpolarizing magnetic fields to the atom portions in the, associated volume stronger than and at an angle to said first magneticield to polarize the atom portions in the respective volumes, means in each unit for detecting the precession of the atom portions in the associated volume in the first magnetic eld after removal of the associated polarizing eld, and means for sequentially energizing and deenergizing said polarizing field means such that while one of said units is Vin the polarizing stage of operation4 anotherV ofsaid units is in the atom portion procession stage of operation.

8. A combination as claimed in claim 7 including means for shielding each of said Volumes of matter from the-polarizing magnetic fields applied to the other vol urnes of matter.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shielding means comprises flux balls enveloping each of. said lvolumes of matter.

l0. In combination, a plurality of volumes of matter containing portions of atoms possessing the properties of magnetic moment and gyroscopic moment adapted to be positioned in a rst magnetic field, a plurality ot magnetic ieldproducing means,-separate ones of which are associated with separate volumesfor producing colarizing. magneticelds, when energized, at an angle to the rst'tield whereby the atom portions in each of the Volumes-i mayibeypolarized, means 'coupled to each of said volumes for detecting the precession of the atom porare de-energized, and means for sequentially energizing and de-energizing each of said lield producing means such that while the atom portions in one of said volumes;

are processing the atom portions in another volume are being polarized.

ll. A combination as claimed in claim l0 including means for recording the frequency of procession of the atom portions, and means for sequentially switching the recording means from one to another of said detecting means such that the recording means is associated with each volume during the time the associated atom portions are processing.

12. In combination, a plurality of nuclear free precession magnetometer units each containing nuclei possessing the properties of magnetic momentv and gyroscopic moment adapted to` be rapidly transported through the earths magnetic iield, each unit including means forproducing a polarizing magnetic field stronger than and at an angle to the earths magnetic field to thereby polarize the associated nuclei, the nuclei in each unit processing in the earths tield upon removal of the polarizing tield therefrom, means for sequentially energizing and deenergizing each of said tield producing means such thatl while the nuclei in one of said units are precessingthe nuclei in anotherunit are being polarized, means for indicating the precession of the atom portions in the firsttield, and means for switching the indicator means fromunit to unit in succession such that the indicator means; is associated with each unit during the time the associated, nuclei are processing.

13. In combination, a plurality of volumes of matterV containingv portions of atoms possessing the properties:

of gyroscopic moment and magnetic moment adapted to. be positioned in a magnetic field, each volume of matter having a separate coil of wire inductively coupled thereto, means for transmitting a pulse of direct current through the plurality of coils periodically and in time sequence whereby a polarizing magnetic field is produced successively at each volume, said produced ields being stronger than and at an angle with respect to the first magnetic field whereby the atom portions may be periodically polarized at an angle to the rst eld successively in eachl volume, means including separate pickup coils of Wire inductively coupled to each volume'of matter, the precession of the atom portions in the iirst magnetic field after termination of the pulse of polarizing magnetic field` suc.

cessively in each volume inducing an alternating current source of direct current, a switching circuit having-means for switching said direct current source from one polarizing coil to another, and a sequencer means for operating said switching circuit to switch the direct current source successively from one coil to another.

16. A combination as claimed in claim l5 wherein said switching circuit couples said recorder means to said pickup coils, said sequencer means operating said switching circuit to switch the recorder successively from one pickup coil to another.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS lie. 23,769 Varian Ian. l2, v1954 

